Introduction
Have you ever found yourself craving a food that’s not good for your diet? If so, you’re not alone. According to experts at Precision Nutrition, most people go through periods where they experience intense cravings for specific foods. Sometimes those cravings are caused by changes in hormones or blood sugar levels; other times they’re just the result of boredom or stress. Whatever their cause, these cravings can make sticking with New Year’s resolutions difficult — especially if your goal is weight loss or overall health improvement! In this article we’ll explore some tips for managing comfort food cravings and keeping them under control:
That Thing You Can’t Have
When you tell yourself “I can’t have it,” you may find yourself obsessing over the thing you can’t have. This is because when your brain says “no,” it’s an automatic response to want something more. You’ve experienced this before: It’s why some people get upset when they are told they can’t do something, or why some people feel like their lives are meaningless without a particular item or person in them (like someone who feels like their life is incomplete without a partner).
So what does this mean for managing your cravings? It means that you should avoid saying “I can’t have it” as much as possible! Instead of focusing on what you don’t want (your cravings), focus on what YOU do want! If part of your New Year’s resolution is losing weight – think about how good it will feel once those extra pounds are gone! If another part of your New Year’s resolution is getting organized – think about how great it will look once everything has its place! And if another part of your New Year’s resolution is making more money – think about all the things YOU could buy or invest in with increased earnings!
Your Mind Is Subconsciously Craving for Food
Even if you’re not actively thinking about a food, your mind will still subconsciously crave it. Cravings are a normal part of life and can be triggered by smell, sight and taste. They can also be triggered by memories or emotions.
So how do you deal with cravings?
When you notice one coming on, take a minute to assess what’s going on in your body: Are you tired? Hungry? Tense? Stressed? Check in with yourself and determine which craving is driving the urge for that food (or drink) before deciding how to proceed. If your body is simply thirsty for water but not really hungry for anything else, quench that thirst first!
|Cravings Don’t Come Out of Nowhere
You’re not crazy. And you’re not alone. “It’s important to understand that cravings don’t just come out of nowhere,” said Dr. Jonathan Valdez, registered dietitian and owner of Genki Nutrition. “They are a normal part of eating.”
The more you understand about your body and its powerful mechanisms for regulating appetite, the better equipped you’ll be to manage those occasional urges without falling off the wagon or succumbing to temptation at every turn. Here are five tips for making your New Year’s resolutions last longer than two weeks:
Engage in A New Activity or Hobby
One way to do so is to engage in a new activity or hobby. According to Valdez, “Finding new ways to distract your brain will help you focus on something else, thus reducing the likelihood that you’ll eat that comfort food.”
However, don’t just rush out and buy yourself a new hobby. If you’re looking for something that will be more effective than simply distracting yourself from your cravings, consider engaging in some form of exercise at least three times per week. This could be jogging outside or going for walks with friends—anything that gets your body moving and allows you to release endorphins after an intense workout session.
Additionally, it’s important not just when it comes time for those first few days after New Year’s resolutions have been made but also throughout the entire year as well: try finding a way where both sides are satisfied!
Get Creative with Your Meals
“Get creative with your meals,” suggested Valdez. “If you’re craving ice cream, put some cut up strawberries with almond milk in the blender, and enjoy a delicious fruit smoothie instead.”
If you’re craving something specific, consider getting creative with your meals.
“If you’re craving ice cream, put some cut up strawberries with almond milk in the blender, and enjoy a delicious fruit smoothie instead.” Valdez said.
You could try new recipes or even a new way of cooking your favorite foods. “I like to make my own pizza dough and use fresh ingredients as much as possible,” she added. “It’s so much cheaper than buying pre-made pizza at the grocery store.”
Fueling Your Body with Proper Nutrition
Fueling your body with proper nutrition helps control cravings by maintaining a healthy blood sugar level. The lower your blood sugar levels are, the stronger your cravings will be, according to officials at Precision Nutrition.
- Eat healthy foods. Eating a healthy diet helps control cravings by maintaining a healthy blood sugar level. The lower your blood sugar levels are, the stronger your cravings will be, according to officials at Precision Nutrition.
- Eat small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals a day. Eating smaller meals helps keep you full for longer periods of time than eating large meals does, which can help you avoid caving into comfort food cravings when they strike in between times when you are hungry or during late night snacking sessions!
- Eat a balanced diet that includes protein, vitamins and minerals from fruits and veggies, grains, legumes, beans, seeds and lean meat.
Tips to Manage Your Comfort Food Cravings
Try these tips for managing your comfort food cravings
- Eat a healthy breakfast.
A good way to start the day is with a balanced meal, such as oatmeal and fruit, or whole-grain breads and yogurt. If you’re not hungry in the morning, drink a glass of water instead to help hydrate your body.
- Get enough sleep.
If you’re trying to lose weight, getting enough sleep can be just as important as eating right and exercising regularly (and even more so if you work out after work hours). Sleep deprivation leads to cravings for junk food—and it’s hard to resist those late-night cravings when they hit! Make sure that you’ve got at least 7 hours of shut-eye every night so that your body has time to rest and recover from all its daily activities before facing another stressful day tomorrow! You’ll feel better when it’s time for breakfast (or lunch).
Conclusion
I know how tough it can be to get through a tough situation. I’m right there with you, and I hope these tips will help you stay strong on your journey to health and happiness.
